diff --git a/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py b/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py
index ab91479ccc..24aa34fc9f 100644
--- a/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py
+++ b/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py
@@ -179,13 +179,13 @@ def main(args=None):
                     + bcolors.ENDC
                 )
             else:
-                if controller_ros_args := args.controller_ros_args.split():
+                if controller_ros_args := args.controller_ros_args:
                     if not set_controller_parameters(
                         node,
                         controller_manager_name,
                         controller_name,
                         "node_options_args",
-                        controller_ros_args,
+                        controller_ros_args.split(),
                     ):
                         return 1
                 if param_file: